Gerbera plant named ‘UFGE 7080’

ABSTRACT

A new  Gerbera  plant particularly distinguished by having a novel combination of traits, including free flowering habit, medium lengths of peduncles, single inflorescence, yellow ray florets with mottling overtones of light orange, orange-red discs, an overall inflorescence diameter of approximately 11 cm, moderate levels of resistance to powdery mildew, good heat tolerance, and demonstrated potential to produce attractive plants in large (≧20-cm in diameter) containers, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Gerbera hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘UFGE 7080’.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF FEDERAL RESEARCH SUPPORT

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BACKGROUND OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Gerberahybrida (“Gerbera”) cultivar named ‘UFGE 7080’.

Gerbera plants are ornamental plants from the family Asteraceaefrequently used as a decorative garden plant or for cut flowers. Theinflorescence of the Gerbera plant is a large capitulum with a pluralityof florets, which are often brightly colored. The florets may includeouter ray florets, trans florets, and central disk florets.

The new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ is a product of a planned breedingprogram conducted by the Inventors in Bradenton and Wimauma, Fla. Theobjective of the breeding program is to develop new Gerbera cultivarswith good plant vigor, moderate lengths of peduncles, numerousinflorescences, attractive inflorescence colors, large inflorescencesizes, and moderate to high levels of powdery mildew resistance.

The new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ originated from a cross made inBradenton, Fla., in spring 2003 between the female or seed parent ‘UFGE5-23’ (unpatented) and the male or pollen parent ‘UFGE 20-1’(unpatented). ‘UFGE 5-23’ and ‘UFGE 20-1’ were Gerbera breeding linesselected by the inventors in Bradenton, Fla., from about 2000 progenyfrom the seeds donated by Sunshine State Carnations Inc. (Hobe Sound,Fla.). The new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ was selected by theinventors from the progeny of the stated parentage in summer 2004 inBradenton, Fla.

The first asexual reproduction of the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’was accomplished by crown division in late 2004 in Bradenton, Fla. Sincethen, the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ has been asexually propagatedby crown division and/or tissue culture for more than five generations.Asexually propagated plants of the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ haveremained true to the original plant, and all characteristics of the newGerbera have been transmitted and retained through three successiveasexual vegetative generations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this cultivar have not been applied for. Thenew Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ has not been made publicly availablemore than one year prior to the filing of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ have not been observedunder all possible environmental conditions. Its phenotype may varysignificantly with variations in environment such as light intensity,temperature, and day length, and cultural practices such asfertilization and irrigation, without any variance in genotype.

The following traits are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new and unique Gerbera cultivar when grown inWimauma, Fla., under normal horticultural practices in greenhouseconditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercialpractice:

-   -   1. Freely flowering habit;    -   2. Medium peduncle length of approximately 43 to 52 cm;    -   3. Single inflorescence type;    -   4. Ray florets in yellow (RHS 9A) with mottling overtones close        to orange (RHS 25B);    -   5. Greyed-purple (RHS 187A) discs before opening of disc        florets;    -   6. Inflorescence diameter of approximately 11 cm;    -   7. Moderate level of resistance to powdery mildew; and    -   8. Good heat tolerance.

Plants of the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ differ from the femaleparent ‘UFGE 5-23’ (unpatented) in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ and the female        parent ‘UFGE 5-23’ differ in ray floret color as plants of the        female parent have orange ray florets;    -   2. Plants of the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ and the female        parent ‘UFGE 5-23’ differ in disc floret color as plants of the        female parent have yellow-green disc florets;    -   3. Plants of the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ have more ray        florets than plants of the female parent ‘UFGE 5-23’; and    -   4. Plants of the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ have shorter        and sturdier peduncles than plants of the female parent ‘UFGE        5-23’, which makes plants of the new Gerbera suitable for        growing in large containers or landscapes while plants of the        female parents tend to lodge in large containers or landscapes.

Plants of the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ differ from the maleparent ‘UFGE 20-1’ (unpatented) in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ and the male        parent ‘UFGE 20-1’ differ in inflorescence form as plants of the        male parent have double inflorescences;    -   2. Plants of the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ and the male        parent ‘UFGE 20-1’ differ in ray floret color as the plants of        the male parent have orange ray florets; and    -   3. Plants of the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ and the male        parent ‘UFGE 20-1’ differ in powdery mildew resistance as the        plants of the male parent are highly susceptible to powdery        mildew

The new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ can be compared to Gerbera hybrida‘UFGE 4141’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,346. Plants of the newGerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ differ from plants of ‘UFGE 4141’ in thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ and ‘UFGE        4141’differ in inflorescence form as plants of ‘UFGE 4141’ have        semi-double inflorescences;    -   2. Plants of the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ and ‘UFGE        4141’ differ in ray floret color as the plants of ‘UFGE 4141’        have orange ray florets (RHS 33B);    -   3. Plants of the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ and ‘UFGE        4141’ differ in disc floret color as plants of ‘UFGE 4141’ have        a yellow-green disc before opening of disc florets; and    -   4. Plants of the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ have shorter        peduncles as the peduncles of ‘UFGE 4141’ are approximately 52        cm.

The new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ can be compared to Gerbera hybrida‘UFGE 7032’, disclosed in the pending U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,448. Plantsof the new Gerbera differ from plants of ‘UFGE 7032’ in the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Gerbera and ‘UFGE 7032’ differ in        inflorescence form as plants of ‘UFGE 7032’ have semi-double        inflorescences;    -   2. Plants of the new Gerbera and ‘UFGE 7032’ differ in disc        floret color as plants of ‘UFGE 7032’ have a yellow-green (RHS        151D) disc before opening of the disc florets;    -   3. Plants of the new Gerbera and ‘UFGE 7032’ differ in ray        floret color as plants of ‘UFGE 7032’ have yellow ray florets        without any overtones in other colors; and    -   4. Plants of the new Gerbera have higher levels of powdery        mildew resistance than plants of ‘UFGE 7032’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

This new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs (FIGS. 1-3) which show the plant's form, inflorescences, andfoliage. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained byconventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of a plantapproximately five months old which was produced from one tissue cultureliner and was potted in a 2.7-L container. Colors in the photograph maydiffer slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanicaldescription, which accurately describe the colors of the new Gerberacultivar ‘UFGE 7080’.

FIG. 1 shows a photograph of the overall plant habit includinginflorescences and foliage of a typical plant of the new Gerberacultivar ‘UFGE 7080’. The photograph is taken from a side perspectiveview;

FIG. 2 shows a photograph illustrating a close-up view of theinflorescence of a typical plant of the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE7080’; and

FIG. 3 shows a photograph illustrating a close-up of a leaf of a typicalplant of the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’. The presentbotanical description is based on plants of the new Gerbera cultivar‘UFGE 7080’, and the plants were approximately seven months old when thedata was taken. The colors (except those in common terms) are describedfrom R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society inLondon (1986 ed.), in association with the Flower Council of Holland.

Botanical Description

-   Botanical classification:    -   -   Family.—Asteraceae.        -   Botanical.—Gerbera hybrida ‘UFGE 7080’.        -   Common name.—Gerbera (Gerbera).-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—‘UFGE 5-23’ (unpatented).        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—‘UFGE 20-1’ (unpatented).-   Plant description:    -   -   General appearance.—Herbaceous perennial, typically grown as            container or garden plants; upright and mounding growth            habit, roughly globular in shape; leaves arranged in basal            rosettes and outwardly arching; dense and bushy habit;            inflorescences held above the foliar plane on erect and            moderately strong basal peduncles (or scapes); moderately            vigorous.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—Approx. 27            cm.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of inflorescence.—47 to 56            cm.        -   Plant width.—Approx. 58 cm.-   Foliage description:    -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Basal rosette, alternate, simple.        -   Leaf blade.—Length: 21 to 26 cm. Width: 12 to 17 cm. Shape:            Oblong. Apex: Moderately acute to obtuse. Base: Truncate.            Margin: Irregular crenate, sinuses divergent, slightly            undulate. Texture, upper surface: Sparsely pubescent.            Texture, lower surface: Moderately pubescent. Venation            pattern: Pinnate. Depth of incisions in leaf: Basal part:            Deep. Central part: Medium. Distal part: Shallow. Color,            Upper side: Yellow-green (RHS 147A). Color, Bottom side:            Yellow-green (RHS 147B). Glossiness on upper side: Medium.        -   Petiole.—Petiole length: Approx. 8.5 cm. Diameter: About            3.5 mm. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Moderately            pubescent. Color Upper surfaces: Close to yellow-green (RHS            144A) Lower surfaces: Close to yellow-green (RHS 144B).            Color, proximal end: Close to greyed-purple (RHS 183B).            Petiole anthocyanin coloration: Close to red-purple (RHS 59A            and 59B).-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Appearance.—Single type inflorescence form; solitary            inflorescences borne on upright and moderately strong scapes            above the foliar plane; ray and disc florets arranged            acropetally on a capitulum.        -   Color (general tonality from a distance of 3 meters).—Golden            yellow with a touch of light orange.        -   Shape.—Moderately incurving funnel-shaped.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Flowering season.—Plants begin flowering about six weeks            after planting and flower year-round in outdoor gardens in            Wimauma, Fla., until plants are killed by frosts or freezes;            plants flower year-round under greenhouse conditions in            Wimauma, Fla.        -   Inflorescence longevity.—Inflorescences last about two weeks            on the plant in Wimauma, Fla.; inflorescences not            persistent.        -   Quantity of inflorescences.—Free flowering habit, with up to            15 open and developing inflorescences per plant.        -   Inflorescence bud.—Height: About 1.2 cm. Diameter: About            1.8 cm. Shape: Oblate. Color (opening buds): Close to            greyed-purple (RHS 187A).        -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: About 11 cm. Depth (height):            About 2 cm. Diameter of disc: About 3.3 cm. Receptacle            height: About 4 mm. Receptacle diameter: About 1.8 cm.            Receptacle color: Close to green-white (RHS 157A).        -   Phyllaries.—Number of phyllaries per inflorescence: About 76            arranged in about three whorls. Length: About 1.5 cm. Width:            About 3 mm. Shape: Subulate. Apex: Narrowly acute. Base:            Truncate. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper surface: Smooth,            glabrous. Texture, lower surface: Densely tomentose. Color,            inner surface: Close to green (RHS 146A). Color, outer            surface: Close to green (RHS 137A).        -   Inner ray florets (trans florets).—Number per inflorescence:            About 160 arranged in about four whorls. Length: About            1.2 cm. Width: About 2 mm. Shape: Tubular, fused. Apex:            Emarginate. Base: Truncate. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper            surface: Smooth, glabrous, slightly velvety, longitudinally            ridged. Texture, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous, slightly            velvety, longitudinally ridged. Color: Upper surface: Close            to yellow (RHS 9A) with some florets having tinges of light            orange (RHS 24A). Lower surface: Close to yellow (RHS 9C)            and with some florets having tinges of light orange (RHS            24B).        -   Outer ray floret.—Number: About 58 arranged in three whorls.            Cross section: Straight to slightly convex. Length: Medium,            approx. 5.0 cm. Width: Medium, approx. 10 mm. Shape: Narrow            elliptic. Apex: Emarginate. Base: Truncate. Margin: Entire.            Depth of incision: Very shallow. Texture, upper surface:            Smooth, glabrous, slightly velvety, longitudinally ridged.            Texture, lower surface: Smooth, glabrous, slightly velvety,            longitudinally ridged. Color (topside): Close to yellow (RHS            9A), with mottling overtones close to orange (RHS 25B) on            the two thirds surface beginning at apex and toward the            middle. Color (bottom side): Close to yellow (RHS 9C).        -   Disc florets.—Number: About 287. Length: About 1.5 cm.            Width: About 3.5 mm. Shape: Tubular, fused. Apex: Narrowly            obtuse. Base: Fused. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and            lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color, fully opened upper            surface: Close to orange-red (RHS 33B) alternating with            stripes close to yellow (RHS 10B). Color, fully opened lower            surface: Close to orange-red (RHS 32B) alternating with            stripes close to yellow (RHS 10C).        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: On most disc florets;            quantity: one. Gynoecium: On ray and disc florets; quantity            per floret: one. Filament length: About 8 mm. Filament            color: Close to yellow (11B). Anther shape: Linear. Anther            length: About 1 mm. Anther width: About less than 1 mm.            Anther color: Close to yellow (RHS 13B). Pollen, amount:            Good. Pollen color: Close to yellow (RHS 13A). Pistil per            floret: One. Pistil length: About 1.8 cm. Stigma shape:            Cleft. Stigma color: Close to yellow (RHS 12D). Style            length: About 1.4 cm. Style color: Close to yellow (RHS            13A). Ovary color: Close to white (RHS 145B).        -   Pappus.—Quantity of hairs per floret: About 96. Length:            About 6 mm. Diameter: Less than 1 mm. Texture: Soft. Main            color: Close to white (RHS 155B).        -   Peduncle.—Length: Medium, 43 to 52 cm. Tendency to            fasciation: Absent. Thickness: Medium, approx. 5.5 mm.            Strength: Moderately strong. Texture: Moderately tomentose.            Color: Close to yellow-green (RHS 144A). Anthocyanin            coloration, at base and top: Absent.

Resistance to Diseases

Plants of the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ were observed in fiveexperiments in which they were compared with plants of commercialGerbera cultivars, ‘Bimini’ (unpatented), ‘Pensacola’ (unpatented),‘FUNTASTIC™ Canary’ (‘UFGE 7032’), and/or ‘FUNTASTIC™ Fire Orange’(‘UFGE 4141’), for the severity of powdery mildew, Podosphaera (syn.Sphaerotheca) fusca (Fr.) S. Blumer. Plants of the new Gerberaconsistently showed moderate levels of resistance to powdery mildew.

The five experiments were conducted in Wimauma, Fla.: Experiment 1 wasconducted from winter 2008 to spring 2009, Experiments 2 and 3 wereconducted from summer to fall 2009, and Experiments 4 and 5 wereconducted from spring to summer 2012. In all experiments, tissue cultureliners of the new Gerbera, ‘Bimini’, ‘Pensacola’, ‘FUNTASTIC™ Canary’,and/or ‘FUNTASTIC™ Fire Orange’ were transplanted into 2.7-L containersfilled with commercial potting mix amended with controlled releasefertilizer at the rate of 5.28 kg·m⁻³ and trace element fertilizer atthe rate of 1.05 kg·m⁻³. In Experiments 1, 3 and 4, all plants weregrown in a screen house in Wimauma, Fla., without temperature orphotoperiod control but with approximately 45% light exclusion. InExperiments 2 and 5, plants were grown in a greenhouse in Wimauma, Fla.The greenhouse had approximately 30% light exclusion and temperatureinside the greenhouse was between 21° C. (night) to 35° C. (day).Fungicides were not applied throughout the experiments to subject theplants to natural powdery mildew disease pressures. A randomizedcomplete block design was used in these experiments, with five(Experiment 1), five (Experiment 2), six (Experiment 3), four(Experiment 4), or six (Experiment 5) replications. The experimentalunit was a single containerized plant. Severity of powdery mildew onplants was assessed using a scale of 1 to 10 as described by Hausbeck etal. (2002) in March 2009 (Experiment 1), June 2009 (Experiment 2),October 2009 (Experiment 3), and August 2012 (Experiments 4 and 5). Thepowdery mildew severity ratings in these experiments ranged from 1.7 to4.8, which are significantly lower compared to the powdery mildewseverity ratings of ‘Bimini’ or ‘Pensacola’. These data indicatemoderate levels of powdery mildew resistance in the new Gerbera. Noother disease resistance characterizations have been made.

TABLE 1 Powdery mildew severity ratings of the new Gerbera cultivar‘UFGE 7080’ and commercial Gerbera cultivars, ‘Bimini’, ‘Pensacola’,‘FUNTASTIC ™ Canary’, and/or ‘FUNTASTIC ™ Fire Orange’, grown undernatural powdery mildew pressure in five experiments in Wimauma, Florida:Experiment 1 (winter 2008 through spring 2009), Experiments 2 and 3(summer 2009 through fall 2009), and Experiments 4 and 5 (spring 2012through summer 2012). Experiments 1 2 3 4 5 Varieties Powdery mildewseverity ratings^(Z) New Gerbera 4.8 4.0 3.7 3.0 1.7 ‘Bimini’ 7.5 6.7‘Pensacola’ 8.6 8.7 ‘FUNTASTIC ™ Canary’ 7.4 5.7 4.2 3.3 2.8‘FUNTASTIC ™ Fire Orange’ 6.8 4.0 3.7 ^(Z)Powdery mildew severity wasrated on a scale of 1 to 10 as described by Hausbeck et al. (2002): 1 =no disease, 2 = trace to 10%, 3 = 10% to 20%, 4 = 20 to 30%, 5 = 30% to40%, 6 = 40% to 50%, 7 = 50% to 60%, 8 = 60% to 70%, 9 = 70% to 80%, and10 = 80% to 100% of leaf surface covered with powdery mildew.

Heat Tolerance

Plants of the new Gerbera cultivar ‘UFGE 7080’ grow well and produceinflorescences freely in summer in Florida when ambient temperatures are35° C. or higher.

Literature Cited

Hausbeck, M. K., W. R. Quackenbush, and S. D. Linderman. 2002.Evaluation of cultivars of African daisy for resistance to powderymildew, 2002. B&C Tests 18:O0004.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Gerbera plantnamed ‘UFGE 7080’, as illustrated and described herein.